FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Home School Astronomy’s view on God and creation?
The creator of Home School Astronomy is a Christian and believes that God created the universe. These presentations honor God for his creation, and do not teach evolution. Home School Astronomy teaches astronomy from as “as is” perspective, meaning from the perspective of what we see happening right now. There are no references to age or origins.
How much to the lessons cost?
All 13 lessons, which comprise an entire semester of astronomy, costs $79.35; however, each lesson sells individually for $9.95 (download), and $11.95 (Compact Disk).
What grade level is this curriculum?
All the presentations are geared for 5th grade through high school. In addition, “Tour of the Solar System” and “The Constellations and Planets” are also done in a K-4th grade version. All the presentations will be available in K-4th grade versions by Christmas 2011. If you are on our mailing list you will be informed.
How can the material be appropriate for both a Junior High and High School Student?
The material is interesting and engaging and new for any student, however there are moderate and advanced activities included in the curriculum. Some activities are more suited to older and some to the younger age-range.
Is there an order, or sequence to the presentations?
Each presentation stands on its own and there is not required order, however, Big, Far and A Tour of the Solar System are good ones to start with as they give an overall perspective to the others.
How can I fit this into my teaching schedule?
Each individual presentation consists of one week of half-hour long Astronomy lessons. All the presentations together would cover an entire semester of science.
How long is each Presentation?
The curriculum includes a suggestion as to how to use each presentation for a half hour a day for an entire week. This would include the warm up activities, the presentation itself, the discussion questions and cross-curricular activities. If you just wanted to view the presentation without the extra activities, the amount of time would vary as it is self-paced, but most would average about a half hour. The number of slides differs with each presentation, but the minimum number of slides is 20 while the maximum is 60. All the presentations together would consist of an entire semester of science.
Is this curriculum full or supplemental?
It is full curriculum good for an entire semester of science. However, many do use it as an exciting supplement to their current “not so exciting” curriculum.
What comes with the curriculum?
1. Objectives
2. Warm up activities
3. The presentation with onscreen script
4. Assessment and discussion questions (printable)
5. Cross-curricular activities
What is the difference between this and other Astronomy Curriculum?
This curriculum engages the student with astounding pictures on the computer along with interesting and engaging astronomy information. It also allows the student to go at his/her own pace as the slides are self-advanced just by hitting the space bar. The teacher has no prep time as its all packaged nice and neat in one file. There is very little full-semester astronomy curriculum available. Most of it is mixed in with other sciences. This is MUCH more astronomy than any student would receive in a public or private high school.
If I choose to download the presentation rather than purchase the CD, do I own it? Can I only view it a limited number of times?
You own the presentation when you purchase it for download or on CD. It goes right to your personal machine and you can use it as many times as you want.
Are these videos?
The presentations are self paced, gloriously illustrated slides that include an on-screen script to read along with the pictures. It is not a video. A student can ‘zone out’ during a video, these self-paced slides require interaction for each new concept.
Can I use this on a Mac?
Yes, PowerPoint for Mac will play it, as will the free Open Office Suite: http://www.openoffice.org/. Specifically, Open Office’s “Impress” plays it. Also, Apple’s “Keynote” will play it.
What if I don’t have PowerPoint on my computer?
The free PowerPoint Viewer from Microsoft will play the presentations. Download that from here: http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=6
Can I use this on a portable device like an IPad or Smart Phone?
It depends. As long as the device is able to play PowerPoint Presentations you should be able to use the presentations on your portable device.
Is there a discount if I buy them all?
Yes, the price for them all is $79.35.
What if I need help with the presentations after I buy them?
Despite the fact that these are computer-based, very few people need help with them as they are setup to run simply by hitting “F5” and then the space bar, however prompt help is available via the email addresses on the site. If you prefer a phone call simply email Home School Astronomy your phone number and you will receive a call back.
If I don’t like the material can I have money back?
Yes. Home School Astronomy has offered a money back guarantee since its inception. So far no one has requested a refund.
Who is “Home School Astronomy?” Do you have references, reviews, are you legitimate?
Home School Astronomy became an official company helping homeschoolers and home school parents “Bring Astronomy Home” in 2009. The author has a Master’s Degree in Education and is a contributing writer for Rosetta Stone’s Home School Newsletter. They have attended and spoken at many conventions including:
1. Great Home School Convention’s Cincinnati convention
2. CHAP (Christian Home School Association of PA) convention in Harrisburg, PA,
3. HEAV (Home School Education Association of Virginia)
4. NOVA (Northern Virginia) Homeschool convention
Has been positively reviewed by:
1. Home School Mom
2. The Wired Home School
3. Creation Homeschooling
4. Classical Scholar Homeschooling
5. Homeschool Reviews
6. Classical Astronomy
7. Gifted Homeschoolers
8. Agape Leadership
9. Jaded Cinderellas
10. Many others
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